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Nursing: What’s It All About?
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What is Nursing?
Nurses help sick people return to
health and help healthy people
stay well.
Nursing is the largest health care
profession with 2.9 million RNs in
the US.
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What Do Nurses Do?
• Monitor the condition of patients
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Administer medications
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Perform therapeutic procedures
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Educate patients and their
families in proper
health care practices
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Develop a plan of care for each
patient with physicians and
other health care professionals
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• Supervise LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses)
and Nursing Assistants
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Where Can Nurses Work?
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Hospitals
Clinics
Public Health
Nursing Homes
Schools
Corporations
Hospice
Health-related Industries
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Nursing is a Broad Profession!
Areas of nursing include:
• Academic Nursing
Education
• Administrative
Nursing
• Aerospace Nursing
• Agency Nursing
• Ambulatory Care
Nursing
• Business and
Marketing Nursing
• Clinic Nursing
• Emergency Nursing
• Employee Health
Nursing
• Entrepreneurial
Nursing
• Epidemiological
Nursing
• Forensic Nursing
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Geriatric Nursing
Home Care Nursing
Hospice Nursing
Hyperbaric Nursing
Infection Control
Nursing
Intensive Care
Nursing
Legal Nursing
Long Term Care
Nursing
Military Nursing
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Neonatal Nursing
Neuro Nursing
Nurse Anesthetist
Nursing Informatics
Nursing Psychologist
Nursing Research
OB-GYN Nursing
Office Nursing
Oncological Nursing
Operating Room
Nursing
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• Opthalmological
Nursing
• Orthopaedic Nursing
• Paramedical Nursing
• Pediatric Nursing
• Perioperative Nursing
• Radiological &
Radiotherapy Nursing
• Rehabilitation Nursing
• School Nursing
• Travel Nursing
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Why Consider Nursing?
• Make a difference in the lives of others every
single day.
• Salary to support a family.
• Flexible hours and scheduling.
• Respected profession.
• Think on your feet.
• Many employment options and career paths
available.
• Opportunity for advancement.
• Exciting profession.
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Kentucky Needs Nurses!
Ethnicity of Nurses in Kentucky
KBN 5/06
0.3%
0.7%
0.3%
2.6%
0.4%
African American
Asian
Hispanic
Native American
Other
Caucasian
95.6%
Where RNs Work in Kentucky
KBN 5/06
6%
5%
3%
Hospital
Nursing Home
Public Health
18%
Office Nurse
62%
5%
Home Health
Other
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Gender of Nurses in Kentucky
7%
Female
Male
93%
Source: Kentucky Board of Nursing 5/06
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How Much Do Nurses Get Paid?
The average pay for an RN in Kentucky hospital is:
$22.70 per hour
or
>$47,000 per year
1/06
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Average Hourly Pay for Kentucky
Hospital Nurses
Licensed Practical Nurse
$15.52
Nurse Practitioner
$35.38
Certified Registered Nurse
Anesthetist
$77.02
1/06
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Path to Registered Nursing
High School
Science & Math Courses
Take SAT & ACT
Associate Degree
Nursing (ADN)
Prerequisites
Baccalaureate Degree
Nursing (BSN)
4 years
2 years or PN+1
Pass NCLEX
RN to BSN
Master of Science in
Nursing (MSN)
1 year
2 years (approx.)
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctorate in Nursing
in Nursing (PhD)
Science (DNSc)
3-4 years
3 years
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Nursing Schools in Metro Louisville
Registered Nursing Programs
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How Do I Pay For Nursing School?
• Scholarships
• Loans (Student Loan People’s Best In
Care Program)
• Pay as you go
• Sponsorship by hospital
• Sponsorship by employer
• Sponsorship by armed forces
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How Can I Learn More About
Nursing?
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Talk to your school counselor.
Take Health Science Technology Courses.
Become a Junior Volunteer in a hospital.
Join a Medical Explorer Troop.
Search the Internet.
Call a nursing school.
Ask a nurse!
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Resources
• KHA’s Center for Health Care
Professions 502-426-6220
• Visit www.kyhealthcareers.org